Blood glucose levels: facing a global crisis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Blood Glucose↗
Biomedical subjects
J P Mackenbach
Publications and source records attributed to J P Mackenbach.
[Hidden explanations for ethnic differences in suicidal behaviour].
A recent study indicates that there are substantial differences in suicide mortality between native Dutch and migrant groups in the Netherlands. Of the major non-western migrant groups in the Netherlands, suicide mortality was significantly lower among Turks and Moroccans, whereas it was higher among migrants from Surinam. Suicide figures were higher in men than in women, but the ethnic groups differed in this respect. The determinants of these differences are largely unknown. We can only speculate as to why the incidence is so markedly above or below average in certain groups. The mental, cultural and social factors that play a role here are presumably multiple and mutually interconnected, so that only further and more detailed research can provide an answer. The numbers and patterns do, however, call for extra attention and alertness.
Emigration and Immigration↗
Trends in stomach cancer mortality in relation to living conditions in childhood. A study among cohorts born between 1860 and 1939 in seven European countries.
AIM: To assess whether secular trends in stomach cancer mortality were correlated with trends in infant mortality rate (IMR) or gross domestic product (GDP). METHODS: Data from seven European countries were analyzed. We used Poisson regression to describe mortality trends among birth cohorts of 1865-1939 and correlation coefficients to determine associations with IMR/GDP. RESULTS: Large differences were observed between birth cohorts in mortality from stomach cancer. In each country, these cohort differences were closely related to IMR/GDP levels at birth time. However, stronger associations were observed with measures of living conditions during later life. In comparisons between countries, stomach cancer mortality rates were not consistently related to national levels of IMR/GDP. CONCLUSION: General living conditions in childhood do not seem to have had a predominant effect on secular trends in stomach cancer mortality. The mortality decline is likely to be related to more 1specific factors, such as declining Helicobacter pylori prevalence.
Adolescent↗
[Worldwide changes in the environment and public health].
In recent years, there is a growing awareness that, as a result of human activities, large-scale environmental changes are occurring with resultant risks for human health. The most important of these are changes in climate and other aspects of the atmosphere, in land use and soil erosion, in the use and contamination of fresh water, and in biodiversity. The usual estimates of the health-related effects of environmental problems in The Netherlands ignore the current effects of global environmental changes outside the borders of The Netherlands, as well as the possible future effects of these changes in The Netherlands. It would be irresponsible to allow ourselves to be put at ease by these estimates. Health-care institutions are co-responsible for an adequate response to global environmental changes, not only because health care as such also contributes to environmental damage but also because medical and health-related research can help to further our understanding of the nature of these health risks and the possible countermeasures.
Climate↗
Cohort-specific trends in stroke mortality in seven European countries were related to infant mortality rates.
OBJECTIVES: To assess, in a population-based study, whether secular trends in cardiovascular disease mortality in seven European countries were correlated with past trends in infant mortality rate (IMR) in these countries. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Data on ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke mortality in 1950-1999 in the Netherlands, England & Wales, France, and four Nordic countries were analyzed. We used Poisson regression to describe trends in mortality according to birth cohort, for the cohorts born between 1860 and 1939. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine associations between IMR and IHD, or stroke mortality. RESULTS: IHD mortality increased for successive cohorts up to 1900, and then started to decline. Stroke mortality levels were virtually stable among birth cohorts up to 1880, but declined rapidly among later cohorts. A strong positive association was found between cohort-specific IMR levels and stroke mortality rates. There were no strong cohort-wise associations between IMR and IHD mortality. CONCLUSION: These results support other studies in suggesting that living conditions in early childhood may influence population levels of stroke mortality. Future studies should determine the contribution of specific early life factors to the mortality decline in IHD and especially stroke.
Adult↗
Disparities in stroke preventive care in general practice did not explain socioeconomic disparities in stroke.
OBJECTIVE: To assess socioeconomic disparities in stroke incidence and in the quality of preventive care for stroke in the Netherlands. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A total of 190,664 patients who registered in 96 general practices were followed up for 12 months. Data were collected on diagnoses, referrals, prescriptions, and diagnostic procedures. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated to assess the association between educational level and stroke incidence. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess socioeconomic disparities in the quality of preventive care for stroke precursors. RESULTS: Lower educational level was associated with higher incidence of stroke in men (HR=1.36, 95% CI=1.06-1.74) but not in women. Among both men and women, there were socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, angina pectoris, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease. Lower educated hypercholesterolemia patients under medication were less likely to be prescribed statins (odds ratio=0.62, 95% CI=0.42-0.91). However, for other precursors of stroke, there were no major disparities in the quality of preventive care. CONCLUSION: There are socioeconomic disparities in stroke incidence among men but not among women. Socioeconomic differences in factors such as hypertension and diabetes are likely to contribute to stroke disparities. However, general practitioners (GPs) provide care of a similar quality to patients from different socioeconomic groups.
Adult↗
Differences in avoidable mortality between migrants and the native Dutch in The Netherlands.
BACKGROUND: The quality of the healthcare system and its role in influencing mortality of migrant groups can be explored by examining ethnic variations in 'avoidable' mortality. This study investigates the association between the level of mortality from 'avoidable' causes and ethnic origin in the Netherlands and identifies social factors that contribute to this association. METHODS: Data were obtained from cause of death and population registries in the period 1995-2000. We compared mortality rates for selected 'avoidable' conditions for Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese and Antillean/Aruban groups to native Dutch. RESULTS: We found slightly elevated risk in total 'avoidable' mortality for migrant populations (RR = 1.13). Higher risks of death among migrants were observed from almost all infectious diseases (most RR > 3.00) and several chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes and cerebro-vascular disorders (most RR > 1.70). Migrant women experienced a higher risk of death from maternity-related conditions (RR = 3.37). Surinamese and Antillean/Aruban population had a higher mortality risk (RR = 1.65 and 1.31 respectively), while Turkish and Moroccans experienced a lower risk of death (RR = 0.93 and 0.77 respectively) from all 'avoidable' conditions compared to native Dutch. Control for demographic and socioeconomic factors explained a substantial part of ethnic differences in 'avoidable' mortality. CONCLUSION: Compared to the native Dutch population, total 'avoidable' mortality was slightly elevated for all migrants combined. Mortality risks varied greatly by cause of death and ethnic origin. The substantial differences in mortality for a few 'avoidable' conditions suggest opportunities for quality improvement within specific areas of the healthcare system targeted to disadvantaged groups.
Adolescent↗
[Perinatal mortality in the Netherlands: everyone's problem and yet no one's problem].
In 1986, this journal published a paper showing that the rate of decline of perinatal mortality in the Netherlands was lower than in several other European countries. As a result, the Netherlands had lost its position as a country with one of the lowest perinatal mortality rates in the world. Since then, relatively little has happened to redress the situation, despite the fact that several studies have shown that the higher perinatal mortality rates are not due to registration artefacts, and that the quality of perinatal care in the Netherlands is lower than that in countries with lower perinatal mortality rates. In a recent analysis by the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (State Institute for Public Health and the Environment) it was estimated that between 20 and 25% of the difference between the perinatal mortality rates of the Netherlands and those of Sweden and Finland is due to the higher frequency in the Netherlands of five factors: multiple pregnancies (probably as a result of in-vitro fertilisation), smoking during pregnancy, pregnancies among non-western immigrants, no screening for congenital disorders, and (other) 'substandard' factors in perinatal care. Unfortunately, there are still no signs of a determined policy response. It seems that twenty years of working on the basis of the voluntary participation of many different organisations, and without clear leadership, have not produced the gain in perinatal mortality that would theoretically have been possible.
Emigration and Immigration↗
[On Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper and other remarkable developments in the life expectancy of the Dutch population].
The Netherlands was home to the oldest living individual in the world, Mrs. Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper, until she died at the age of 115 years on 30 August 2005. She illustrated the remarkable increase in centenarians in many European countries resulting from substantial increases in life expectancy at birth. In 2004, life expectancy at birth in the Netherlands reached a record high of 76.9 years for men and 81.4 years for women. These developments raise important questions on the potential for further increases in life expectancy. Based on an extrapolation of recent trends in cause-specific mortality, Netherlands Statistics predicts an increase in life expectancy of 2 to 3 years in the half-century between 2004 and 2050. Experts are deeply divided about the prospects for further increases in life expectancy. Some have argued that such estimates are too optimistic because, for example, the obesity epidemic might even reduce average life expectancy in the future. Others consider these estimates too pessimistic because, for example, previous estimates of limits to life expectancy have almost always been surpassed. Even relatively modest increases in life expectancy at birth, however, will pose important challenges to health care, social services and pension arrangements.
Aged↗
A comparative appraisal of the relationship of education, income and housing tenure with less than good health among the elderly in Europe.
The objective of this study was to determine the strength of various socio-economic indicators for predicting less than good health among elderly people aged 60-79 years. Data were obtained from national health surveys from 10 European countries. Education, income and housing tenure were examined in relation to less than good health using standardised prevalence rates and (multiple) logistic regression analyses. The results illustrated that there are substantial health differences among the elderly according to education and income in each country. Both education and income (with men) showed a strong independent relationship with health status. Health differences according to housing tenure were generally somewhat smaller. However, in Great Britain and the Netherlands housing tenure demonstrated large health differences, even after adjustment for education and income. It is recommended that more refined socio-economic measures are developed and that in the meantime both education and income are used when studying socio-economic health differences among the elderly. In some countries, like Great Britain and the Netherlands, however, housing tenure has an additional value.
Aged↗
Socioeconomic status and ischaemic heart disease mortality in 10 western European populations during the 1990s.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between socioeconomic status and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in 10 western European populations during the 1990s. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: 10 European populations (95,009,822 person years). METHODS: Longitudinal data on IHD mortality by educational level were obtained from registries in Finland, Norway, Denmark, England/Wales, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Turin (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), and Madrid (Spain). Age standardised rates and rate ratios (RRs) of IHD mortality by educational level were calculated by using Poisson regression. RESULTS: IHD mortality was higher in those with a lower socioeconomic status than in those with a higher socioeconomic status among men aged 30-59 (RR 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51 to 1.60) and 60 years and over (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.24), and among women aged 30-59 (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.98 to 2.29) and 60 years and over (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.38). Socioeconomic disparities in IHD mortality were larger in the Scandinavian countries and England/Wales, of moderate size in Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria, and smaller in southern European populations among men and younger women (p < 0.0001). For elderly women the north-south gradient was smaller and there was less variation between populations. No socioeconomic disparities in IHD mortality existed among elderly men in southern Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic disparities in IHD mortality were larger in northern than in southern European populations during the 1990s. This partly reflects the pattern of socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular risk factors in Europe. Population wide strategies to reduce risk factor prevalence combined with interventions targeted at the lower socioeconomic groups can contribute to reduce IHD mortality in Europe.
Adult↗
[Sub-standard factors in primary obstetric care].
OBJECTIVE: Investigating the frequency and nature of sub-standard care factors in non-complicated pregnancies in primary obstetric care. DESIGN: Retrospective investigation of medical files. METHOD: Data concerning obstetric care in 3 midwifery practices in the Delft area (Pijnacker, Nootdorp, Den Hoorn and Schipluiden), the Netherlands, from 1989-1999 were gathered from the primary National Obstetrics Register. Of the 8362 pregnancy records, 72 were selected at random. Using a checklist containing criteria based on the Obstetrics Indication List, the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Database, and from an expert panel, the records were analysed for the frequency of occurrence of sub-standard factors in perinatal care. RESULTS: Of the 72 pregnancy records, only 1 was found to contain no sub-standard factors. On average 1.7 sub-standard factors were seen with a maximum of 7. Most frequently found were: too few check-ups during the first trimester (39%), no testing for proteinuria at the first visit (26%) and no administration of prophylactic vitamin K1 (43%). Less frequently found sub-standard care factors were: no ultrasound despite indication (11%), no referral to secondary care in the event of foetal distress (6%), no consultation with secondary care in the event of hypertension (3%), or in the case of membranes ruptured for more than 24 hours (1%). Frequently the circumstances surrounding the departure from the main checklist criteria were found to justify the action. CONCLUSION: Sub-standard care factors were demonstrated in many of the pregnancies investigated. A limited number of these factors gave reason to question whether guidelines for good quality perinatal care are being properly applied.
Adult↗
[Mortality among non-western migrants in The Netherlands].
Mortality among 10 groups of non-western migrants to The Netherlands, observed in the period 1995-2000, is compared with mortality among people who were born in and whose parents were born in The Netherlands. The migrant groups concerned consisted of people who were born in, or whose parents were born in Turkey, Morocco, Surinam, The Netherlands Antilles, Ghana, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Vietnam. Differences in mortality were adjusted for age, marital status, region, degree of urbanization, and socioeconomic status. Despite the fact that most migrants originate from countries with a substantially higher mortality rate than The Netherlands, most groups had similar or more favourable total mortality rates than native Dutch people. Men from Turkey and Surinam had slightly elevated mortality rates and men and women from Somalia had a notably higher mortality rate than native Dutch people. The generally favourable mortality rates among migrants are the result of two compensating phenomena: higher mortality among young migrants than among young native Dutch people, and lower mortality among elderly migrants than among elderly native Dutch people. An analysis of cause-of-death patterns revealed relatively low mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases in most migrant groups, and relatively high mortality from infectious diseases and injuries. These findings are unlikely to have been influenced by incomplete registration of mortality. Selective migration may play a role--some migrant groups have a relatively high level of education for example. Also some of the findings may be explained by a difference in timing between the health benefits and the health risks of migration. Migrant health could be benefiting from the favourable socioeconomic, public health and health-care conditions in The Netherlands, but not yet be affected by the higher risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease associated with prosperity.
Adolescent↗
Socioeconomic differences in the prevalence of common chronic diseases: an overview of eight European countries.
BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of both fatal and non-fatal diseases. This paper aims to give the first international overview for several common chronic diseases. METHODS: Micro-level data were pooled from non-standardized national health surveys conducted in eight European countries in the 1990s. Surveys ranged in size from 3700 to 41 200 participants. The prevalence of 17 chronic disease groups were analysed in relation to education. Standardized prevalence rates and age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. RESULTS: Most diseases showed higher prevalence among the lower education group. Stroke, diseases of the nervous system, diabetes, and arthritis displayed relatively large inequalities (OR > 1.50). No socioeconomic differences were evident for cancer, kidney diseases, and skin diseases. Allergy was more common in the higher education group. Relative socioeconomic differences were often smaller among the 60-79 age group as compared with the 25-59 age group. Cancer was more prevalent among the lower educated in the 25-59 age group, but among the higher educated in the 60-79 age group. For diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, socioeconomic differences were larger among women as compared with men. Inequalities in heart disease were larger in northern European countries as compared with southern European countries. CONCLUSION: There are large variations between chronic diseases in the size and pattern of socioeconomic differences in their prevalence. The large inequalities that are found for some specific fatal diseases (e.g. stroke) and non-fatal diseases (e.g. arthritis) require special attention in equity-oriented research and policies.
Adult↗
[The importance of the National Public Health Compass for public health].
The National Public Health Compass provides an online overview of the current state of public health in the Netherlands. The Compass contains largely the same information as the Dutch Public Health Status and Forecasts Reports, the 2002 edition of which showed stagnation of public health improvement. This highlights the role of these overviews in the signalling of public health problems. The quality of the reporting on public health has been shown to be high and the reports are successful in providing information for Dutch health policy. However, if the Dutch are to regain their leading position in Europe, more policy efforts are required.
Databases, Factual↗
Trends in socioeconomic disparities in stroke mortality in six european countries between 1981-1985 and 1991-1995.
This study assesses whether stroke mortality trends have been less favorable among lower than among higher socioeconomic groups. Longitudinal data on mortality by socioeconomic status were obtained for Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, England/Wales, and Turin, Italy. Data covered the entire population or a representative sample. Stroke mortality rates were calculated for the period 1981-1995. Changes in stroke mortality rate ratios were analyzed using Poisson regression and compared with rate ratios in ischemic heat disease mortality. Trends in stroke mortality were generally as favorable among lower as among higher socioeconomic groups, such that socioeconomic disparities in stroke mortality persisted and remained of a similar magnitude in the 1990s as in the 1980s. In Norway, however, occupational disparities in stroke mortality significantly widened, and a nonsignificant increase was observed in some countries. In contrast, disparities in ischemic heart disease mortality widened throughout this period in most populations. Improvements in hypertension prevalence and treatment may have contributed to similar stroke mortality declines in all socioeconomic groups in most countries. Socioeconomic disparities in stroke mortality generally persisted and may have widened in some populations, which fact underlines the need to improve preventive and secondary care for stroke among the lower socioeconomic groups.
Europe↗
Ethnic differences in prenatal growth and the association with maternal and fetal characteristics.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine ethnic differences in prenatal growth and to examine their association with differences in maternal and fetal characteristics such as maternal height, weight, age, parity and fetal gender. METHODS: A total of 1494 women from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with a low-risk pregnancy who participated in a population-based cohort study, the Generation R Study, were offered three ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. Multilevel modeling was applied to determine ethnic differences in (estimated) fetal weight (including birth weight) and in the separate biometric variables that were used to calculate the estimated fetal weight (abdominal circumference, head circumference and femur length). Additionally the association of ethnic differences with maternal and fetal characteristics (i.e. maternal weight, height, age, parity and fetal gender) was studied. RESULTS: Turkish, Cape Verdian, Surinamese-Creole and Surinamese-Hindustani women had on average smaller fetuses than the native Dutch women. The differences became more pronounced towards term. In the Turkish group the differences were no longer statistically significant when adjusted for maternal weight, height, age, parity and fetal gender. In the Cape Verdian, Surinamese-Creole and Surinamese-Hindustani groups the differences decreased after adjustment (31%, 16% and 39%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there are ethnic differences in fetal growth, which to a large extent may be attributed to differences in maternal weight, height, age and parity. For some ethnic groups, however, additional factors are involved, as differences remain significant after correction for fetal and maternal characteristics.
Anthropometry↗
Neighbourhood inequalities in physical inactivity: the role of neighbourhood attractiveness, proximity to local facilities and safety in the Netherlands.
We investigated the association between the neighbourhood socioeconomic environment and physical inactivity, and explored the contribution of neighbourhood characteristics to this association. Data were analysed of 20-69 years old participants of the Dutch GLOBE study who lived in 78 neighbourhoods of Eindhoven (n = 8.767). The neighbourhood socioeconomic environment was assessed from aggregated self-reported information of participants' education and occupation level, and employment status. Aspects of physical inactivity investigated were based on the time spent on (a) walking and cycling to shops or work, (b) walking, cycling and gardening in leisure time, and (c) participation in sports activities. Characteristics of neighbourhoods included the proximity to food shops, general physical design of neighbourhoods, quality of green facilities, noise pollution from traffic and required police attention as evaluated by municipal services (professionals) responsible for these characteristics. Compared to those living in the most advantaged neighbourhoods, residents living in the quartile of socio-economically most disadvantaged neighbourhoods were more likely to walk or cycle to shops or work, but less likely to walk, cycle or garden in leisure time and less likely to participate in sports activities (adjusted for age, sex and individual educational level). Neighbourhood inequalities in walking or cycling to shops or work were not mediated by specific neighbourhood characteristics included in our analyses. The increased probability of almost never walking, cycling and gardening in leisure time in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods was partly mediated by a poorer general physical design in these neighbourhoods. Similarly, the increased probability of almost never participating in sports activities in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods was partly mediated by larger amounts of required police attention. The direction of neighbourhood inequalities differs for aspects of physical inactivity. Neighbourhood characteristics are related to physical inactivity and contribute to neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities in physical inactivity.
Adult↗